BARRISTER Abubakar Malami, SAN, has committed awfully bad deeds, especially against me as my first attorney, and his intolerable display of arrogance and despicable behaviour, both in and out of office, render him incapable of earning sympathy or compassion. However, other factors that shaped his monstrous behaviour must also be taken into account.
He stood by me when everyone deserted me. He rendered services to me on several occasions and was harassed to the extent that armed robbers were sent to invade both our houses at the peak of my court cases.
Though he later crossed over to the other side and attempted to subvert my cases, I would like to recall what my ancestor, Malam Abdullahi Fodiyo, stated in one of his books: “When one helped me before but later turned against me, I would consider the help the person rendered and forgive his later iniquities.”
Though he also plundered the nation and abused the trust reposed in him under his oath of office, I would like to attribute some of his misdemeanours and misdeeds to youthful folly, inexperience, and the influence of very nasty elders, such as the Aso Villa cabal, who ensnared and entrapped even a formidable, experienced, and older leader like President Muhammadu Buhari.
I am not exonerating or attempting to justify his irresponsible and scandalous conduct; rather, I feel sorry for him. How many people can truly escape the trappings of the fabulously luxurious social status to which he was catapulted from obscurity?
What percentage of leaders can genuinely live above board under such temptations? He undoubtedly offended many people, especially his professional superiors in the judiciary, but he was also foolishly and excitedly overbearing in his overzealous efforts to please his “masters” and pretentious benefactors.
Seeing Malami, his wife, and first son in the dock, and all being consigned to Kuje Correctional Centre (Prison) after a fairly long sojourn in the EFCC cell, filled me with deep sympathy and compassion for them. This is not to say that I am canvassing for their release not at all.
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) categorically stated: “Were Fatima bint Muhammad (his own daughter) to commit an act of theft, I would have cut off her hand.” We all know that Fatima was the most beloved of all. I pray that this moment will inspire new attitudes towards our responsibilities as leaders and citizens.
The EFCC was once under Malami’s supervision. It was therefore very foolish of him to cast aspersions on its chairman, especially when he relied on the Justice Salami investigation report, which was never deliberated upon by the Federal Executive Council.
Moreover, the Buhari administration did not issue a White Paper on the report for it to be gazetted for public consumption. The chairman and staff of the EFCC should please not allow this gross indiscretion to influence the outcome of their investigations.
May Almighty Allah (SWT) take charge of our affairs, guide and protect Nigeria and Nigerians. Amin. Almighty Allah knows best. Peace.
- Jokolo writes in from Kaduna.
